They’re the typical hard hat you see regularly on construction sites. They’ve been around since the early 1960’s. They’re still made of a polycarbonate material. And they still won’t stay on your head. Evolution hasn’t changed them much in 60 years.

This old technology hardhat very likely saved  my life one day

The old hard hat technology —designed for impact and penetration, very likely saved my life one day. The falling hammer accidentally dropped from the second floor, left my ears ringing but no harm done to my head.

The inherent flaw of a hard hat

My hard hat did what it was designed to do. It saved my head from a falling object. That technology protected the top of my head, but it would not have given much protection to my head from a side impact. And it would have failed miserably in protecting my head from a fall. That’s the inherent flaw of a hard hat. It wouldn’t have stayed on my head.

Traumatic brain injury

OSHA reports that falls account for 37% of construction fatalities. Even if a fall is not fatal, a traumatic brain injury could be the result.

Replacing the hard hat

The new technology safety helmet now being used by Blackwell’s, Inc.

As technology and scientific understanding of head injuries have advanced, it has developed a new safety helmet that is replacing the hard hat. At first glance, you might mistake it for a biking helmet. And like a biking helmet, the new safety helmet is designed to protect the wearer’s head in the event of a fall.

More advanced materials

While hard hats are made of hard plastics, safety helmets are constructed of much more advanced materials that not only enhance impact resistance but also reduce the weight of the helmet. In addition, the safety helmets include a chin strap that, when worn properly, keeps the helmet on in the event of a fall.

When head protection is needed, Blackwell’s, Inc. is replacing their traditional hard hats with new safety helmets so that our associates are better protected against head injuries on the work site.